Maria Shaulis has worked in the financial aid profession for over 20 years. As a Financial Aid Services (FAS) senior consultant, she helps institutions improve their financial aid operations.

Maria has served as interim director of financial aid at several institutions, where she has implemented a student-first philosophy to ensure proactive responses to student needs. During this time, she has mentored and trained financial aid staff, improved operational efficiency, instituted policies and procedures and ensured compliance with federal regulations.

Prior to joining FAS, Maria held leadership positions with several educational institutions. She served as university director of financial aid at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, dean of scholarships and financial aid at the University of St. Thomas, director of financial aid for the Community College of Allegheny County, and assistant director of financial aid for the University of Central Florida.

Her software experience includes Datatel Colleague, Oracle PeopleSoft, and the U.S. Department of Education’s EDExpress, COD System and NSLDS.

She has been active in several professional organizations, including the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SWASFAA), and the Florida Association of Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA).

Maria earned a Bachelor of Arts and certification in Elementary Education and Master’s in Professional Writing from Chatham University.